US 2006/0072330 A1 · Lighting system for a bicycle

Abstract

A lighting system for a bicycle. A lamp and a beam are mounted to the bicycle. A generator is mounted to the beam such that the beam holds the generator in position to be frictionally driven by contact with a bicycle wheel. The generator provides a three-phase output voltage. A sensor monitors the generator and provides an output signal proportional to the speed of the bicycle. A first sensing circuit receives the output signal from the sensor and provides a first control signal when the output signal exceeds a first predetermined value. The first control signal is operative to change the output voltage from the three-phase output voltage to a single-phase output voltage to prevent damage to the system.

Claims42

Dependent claims

A lighting system for a bicycle comprising:

a beam configured to be mounted to the bicycle;
a generator mounted to said beam such that said beam holds said generator in position to be frictionally driven by contact with a wheel of the bicycle, said generator providing a three-phase output voltage;
a sensor that monitors said generator and provides an output signal proportional to bicycle speed;
and
a first sensing circuit that receives said output signal and provides a first control signal when said output signal exceeds a first predetermined value, the first control signal being operative to change the output voltage from the three-phase output voltage to a single-phase output voltage to prevent damage to said-system.

2 more elements

A voltage control system for a bicycle having a bicycle frame and at least two wheels, the system comprising:

a three-phase generator driven by frictional engagement against a wheel of the bicycle, said generator providing a three-phase output voltage in the form of sine waves with positive and negative halves;
a three-phase full-bridge rectifier that receives the three-phase output voltage of said generator and inverts the negative halves of the sine waves generated, said rectifier providing a DC output voltage;
a DC-to-DC converter for changing the DC output voltage from said rectifier to a first working voltage;
a lamp attached to a portion of the bicycle, said lamp receiving the first working voltage from said converter;
a sensor that monitors said generator and provides an output signal proportional to the speed of the bicycle;
a first sensing circuit that receives said output signal from said sensor and provides a first control signal at a first predetermined value of said output signal from said sensor;
and
a first relay connected between said generator and said rectifier, said first relay being connected to said first sensing circuit to receive said first control signal, said first relay, during a state of increasing bicycle speed, changes the output voltage of said generator from said three-phase line-to-line voltage to a single-phase line-to-neutral voltage when said first control signal is received from said first sensing circuit, whereby said DC output voltage from said rectifier is reduced by an amount less than sufficient to damage said converter while supplying said first working voltage to said lamp.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lighting system for a bicycle

Life of this patent

Lighting system for a bicycle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims42